How to Apply for an Onshore Australian Partner Visa Subclasses 820 and 801
Apply in Australia for the combined Partner visa subclasses 820 and 801 as the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Check relationship and sponsorship rules, evidence, the AUD 11,710 main applicant charge, dependent children, bridging visa implications and the permanent-stage process.
AU Australia
Immigration & Travel ~ 17 min read
18 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-26
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If you are in Australia and are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you can generally apply online through ImmiAccount for the temporary Partner visa subclass 820 and permanent Partner visa subclass 801 together. The standard charge for most main applicants is AUD 11,710 and covers both stages. Your partner normally sponsors you and should submit the online Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia form after you lodge your visa application. You must provide identity, character and relationship evidence showing that your relationship is genuine and continuing. If you held a valid substantive visa when you applied, Home Affairs grants a Bridging visa A that can keep you lawful after your current visa expires while the Partner visa is processed. The permanent subclass 801 stage is normally considered once 2 years have passed since the original combined application.
What you need
- Be in Australia when you lodge the subclass 820 and 801 Partner visa application.
- In most cases, be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Have a genuine and continuing relationship with your partner and meet the applicable spouse or de facto relationship requirements.
- Have an eligible sponsor, normally the Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner.
- Check that your current or previous visa does not prevent an onshore application, including any No Further Stay condition.
- Meet additional requirements if you do not hold a substantive visa when you apply.
- For most de facto applicants, have been in the de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying unless an applicable exemption applies.
- Provide identity documents, passport details and evidence of any name changes.
- Provide evidence of the genuine relationship, including relevant financial, household, social and commitment evidence.
- Meet health and character requirements and provide police certificates or health examinations when required.
- Provide documents for dependent children included in the application.
- Pay the correct visa application charge before the application can be processed.
Eligibility
The onshore Partner visa pathway is for a person who is in Australia and, in most circumstances, is the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant applies for the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 visas together. The relationship must generally exist when the application is lodged and when the temporary visa is decided. Married and de facto applicants must satisfy the relevant relationship requirements. De facto applicants normally need to show that the de facto relationship existed for at least 12 months immediately before application, although the 12-month requirement does not apply in certain circumstances, including where the relationship is registered under qualifying Australian state or territory law or other specified exceptions apply. Applicants must also satisfy applicable visa-status, sponsorship, health and character requirements.
How to do it
- Check that the onshore Partner visa is the correct pathway. You and accompanying family members must be in Australia when the subclass 820 and 801 application is lodged.
- Check your current visa and conditions in VEVO. Confirm that you do not have a condition preventing a further visa application, such as a No Further Stay condition, unless an applicable waiver has already been approved.
- Confirm that your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and can act as your sponsor.
- Check the relationship requirements. If applying as a de facto partner, confirm that you meet the usual 12-month requirement or qualify for an exception.
- Gather identity documents, passport pages, relationship evidence, character documents and documents for dependent children who will be included.
- Organise relationship evidence across the financial aspects of the relationship, the nature of the household, social aspects and the nature of your commitment to each other.
- Create or sign in to ImmiAccount.
- Select New application, then Family, then Stage 1 Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa and complete the combined subclass 820 and 801 application.
- Pay the applicable visa application charge and submit the application.
- Give the Transaction Reference Number or Application ID to your sponsor.
- Your sponsor should complete the online Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia form through ImmiAccount as soon as possible after your visa application is lodged.
- Attach all required supporting documents to ImmiAccount as soon as possible. Home Affairs can decide an application without requesting missing information.
- Complete health examinations or provide further character information if Home Affairs requests them.
- If you held a valid substantive visa when applying, check the Bridging visa A granted in connection with your application. It normally comes into effect if your current substantive visa expires before a decision is made.
- If you need to travel while a Bridging visa A is in effect, obtain appropriate travel permission before leaving. A Bridging visa A does not allow re-entry and ceases when you depart Australia.
- Monitor ImmiAccount for correspondence and update Home Affairs if your address, passport, contact details, relationship circumstances or family composition changes.
- If the subclass 820 visa is granted, continue keeping evidence of your relationship for the permanent subclass 801 assessment.
- Once 2 years have passed since the original Partner visa application, use ImmiAccount to complete Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa Assessment when eligible and provide updated relationship, identity and character information requested by Home Affairs.
- Wait for the subclass 801 decision. If granted, the subclass 801 visa gives permanent residence in Australia.
Who can apply for an onshore Partner visa subclass 820 and 801?
The subclass 820 and 801 Partner visa pathway is for applicants who apply from inside Australia. In most cases, you must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You apply for the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 at the same time. The subclass 820 is normally decided first and lets you remain in Australia temporarily while Home Affairs later assesses the permanent subclass 801 stage.
This procedure is specifically for the onshore Partner visa pathway. Applicants outside Australia normally use the separate subclass 309 and 100 Partner visa pathway.
Do you need to be in Australia when you apply?
Yes. You must be in Australia when you lodge an onshore subclass 820 and 801 application. Family members applying with you must also be in Australia.
Home Affairs can generally decide the temporary subclass 820 application while you are either inside or outside Australia, but you must ensure you have lawful immigration status and appropriate travel permission throughout the process.
Who can sponsor an onshore Partner visa applicant?
Your sponsor is normally your spouse or de facto partner. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
You and family members applying with you must have a sponsor when the application is lodged and while you hold the temporary Partner visa. The sponsor who supports the application remains the sponsor for the relevant sponsorship period and cannot simply be replaced by another person.
How does your partner submit the sponsorship?
The visa applicant normally lodges the Partner visa application first. After submission, give the Transaction Reference Number or Application ID to the sponsor.
The sponsor then completes the online Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia form through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs recommends that the sponsor lodge the sponsorship as soon as possible after the visa application.
What relationship requirements must you meet?
The relationship must satisfy Australian Partner visa rules. In most cases, you must continue to be the spouse or de facto partner of the sponsoring Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen when the application is lodged and when it is decided.
Home Affairs assesses whether the relationship is genuine and continuing, whether there is a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others, and whether you live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis.
What are the rules if you are married?
If you apply as a spouse, your marriage must be recognised as valid for Australian immigration purposes. Provide your marriage certificate or other evidence requested by Home Affairs.
Applicants in a married relationship must generally be at least 18 years old because Australian law normally requires a person to be 18 to marry.
What are the rules for a de facto Partner visa?
De facto applicants normally need to have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before lodging the application. Time spent merely dating or maintaining only an online relationship may not count toward the de facto relationship period.
When does the 12-month de facto requirement not apply?
The 12-month requirement can be waived under specified Partner visa rules. One important exception applies where the de facto relationship has been registered with an Australian state or territory authority under qualifying relationship-registration law.
Other exceptions apply in specified humanitarian and compelling and compassionate circumstances. Applicants relying on an exception should provide evidence establishing the relevant circumstances.
What relationship evidence should you provide?
Home Affairs assesses the relationship as a whole. Evidence should show how you share your lives rather than relying on a single document.
Financial aspects of the relationship
Evidence can include joint bank accounts, shared bills, joint loans, joint ownership or leasing of property, joint financial responsibilities and documents showing how you manage household expenses.
Nature of the household
You can provide evidence showing your living arrangements and how household responsibilities are shared. Relevant evidence can include leases, correspondence sent to the same residential address and evidence of shared responsibility for children or household duties.
Social aspects of the relationship
Evidence may show that friends, relatives and the wider community recognise you as a couple. This can include invitations, joint travel, photographs, evidence of social activities and statements from people who know your relationship.
Nature of your commitment to each other
Home Affairs can consider how long the relationship has existed, your knowledge of each other's personal circumstances, periods of separation, communication while apart and plans for your future together.
What identity documents are required?
Home Affairs asks applicants to establish their identity. Common documents include a birth certificate showing both parents' names and the personal-details pages of the current passport showing the photograph, personal details, issue date and expiry date.
A national identity card should also be provided if you have one. If a birth certificate cannot be provided, Home Affairs lists alternative government or court-issued identity records that may be acceptable.
Do you need police certificates?
Partner visa applicants must meet the character requirement. Home Affairs may require police certificates from Australia and other countries depending on your residence history and circumstances.
You can obtain police certificates before applying, but Home Affairs states that police certificates are valid for immigration purposes for 12 months from their issue date. If more than 15 months has passed since an Australian Federal Police National Police Certificate was issued, new checks may be needed before the application can progress.
Do you need a health examination?
Applicants and relevant family members must meet the health requirement. Home Affairs may direct you to complete health examinations after lodgement. Health examination results are normally valid for 12 months.
How much does the subclass 820 and 801 Partner visa cost in 2026?
As of 26 August 2026, the standard visa application charge for most main applicants is AUD 11,710. This single charge covers both the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 stages.
For most current Prospective Marriage subclass 300 visa holders, the main applicant charge is AUD 1,955. A former subclass 300 holder who applies after that visa has expired can face a different charge depending on their circumstances.
There is an additional applicant charge for each family member included. The exact amount depends on the family member's age and the applicant's circumstances, so use the official Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste can receive a lower Partner visa application charge through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs determines eligibility using the valid passport of the primary applicant.
Separate expenses can include police certificates and health examinations.
How to apply for subclass 820 and 801 through ImmiAccount
The Partner visa application is lodged online. In ImmiAccount, select New application, then Family, then Stage 1 Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa.
Complete the application, pay the visa application charge and submit it. Give the Transaction Reference Number to your sponsor so they can lodge the sponsorship.
Upload supporting evidence through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs allows up to 100 documents for each person on the application, so organise and clearly label evidence rather than uploading unnecessary duplicates.
Can you include children in an onshore Partner visa application?
You can include a dependent child when you lodge the application or add an eligible dependent child after lodgement but before Home Affairs decides the temporary subclass 820 visa. The child must be in Australia.
Family members applying with you must meet applicable health and character requirements. Additional visa application charges apply.
How do you add a child after lodgement?
Before the subclass 820 decision, an eligible dependent child can be added using Form 1436, Adding an additional applicant after lodgement, with the completed form attached through ImmiAccount.
What if you need to add a child after subclass 820 is granted?
Once the subclass 820 visa has been granted, you cannot simply add another family member to that temporary visa application. A dependent child who needs to join the permanent subclass 801 application generally needs to obtain a Dependent Child visa subclass 445 first. Once the child holds subclass 445, the child can be included in the permanent Partner visa process using the procedure specified by Home Affairs.
What happens to your current visa after you apply?
Your existing substantive visa does not automatically end merely because you lodge a Partner visa application. It normally continues until its own expiry or cessation date.
If you held a valid substantive visa when you applied for the subclass 820 and 801 visas, Home Affairs grants a Bridging visa A. If the substantive visa expires before the Partner visa application is decided, the Bridging visa A comes into effect so you can remain lawfully in Australia while Home Affairs processes the application.
Can you travel overseas on a Bridging visa A?
A Bridging visa A does not provide a right to leave Australia and return. If a Bridging visa A is in effect and you leave Australia, it ceases.
If you need to travel and return while waiting for the Partner visa decision, you generally need to obtain a Bridging visa B with an appropriate travel period before departure. Only a Bridging visa B allows a person waiting for a substantive visa decision to leave and re-enter Australia under the bridging visa arrangements.
If your current substantive visa still permits travel, you may be able to leave and return using that visa while it remains valid. Always check VEVO before travelling.
What if your current visa has a No Further Stay condition?
You may not be able to make a valid onshore Partner visa application if your visa has a condition preventing further stay, such as condition 8503.
In some circumstances, you can request a waiver of a No Further Stay condition. Where a waiver is required, it must be approved before you lodge the Partner visa application.
What if you do not hold a substantive visa?
Additional rules apply if you do not hold a substantive visa at the time you apply. If you did not previously hold a Prospective Marriage subclass 300 visa, Home Affairs states that you must demonstrate compelling reasons for the grant of the Partner visa.
There are also additional validity and documentary requirements in some circumstances. For applicants without a substantive visa who are eligible to lodge, Home Affairs requires the sponsor's online sponsorship form, evidence of the sponsor's Australian or eligible New Zealand status and at least two qualifying recent Commonwealth statutory declarations confirming the relationship. Because these cases involve additional statutory criteria, applicants should check the current Home Affairs instructions carefully before lodgement.
What happens after the Partner visa application is submitted?
Home Affairs confirms receipt of the application and you can manage it through ImmiAccount. Attach any missing documents as soon as possible and respond within the deadline if Home Affairs asks for additional information.
If you cannot provide requested evidence within the specified period, Home Affairs allows you to request additional time through the Partner Processing Enquiry Form before the original deadline expires. Additional time is not guaranteed.
You must also tell Home Affairs when relevant circumstances change, including changes to contact information, passport details, address, relationship status or the birth of a child.
How long does the subclass 820 Partner visa take?
Home Affairs does not publish a guaranteed processing time for an individual application. Partner visa processing times vary and are updated through the official Visa Processing Time Guide based on recently decided applications.
Processing can take longer when an application is incomplete, further information is required, health or character checks take additional time or information needs to be obtained from external agencies.
Under the current family visa processing priority framework, onshore Partner visa subclass 820 and 801 applications receive the highest Partner visa processing priority, although this does not create a guaranteed decision timeframe for an individual application.
What rights do you get with a subclass 820 visa?
The subclass 820 visa lets you live in Australia temporarily while Home Affairs processes the permanent subclass 801 application. You can work and study in Australia, travel to and from Australia while the subclass 820 remains valid and apply for Medicare access.
Study is generally at your own cost and eligibility for some Australian Government payments can be affected by newly arrived resident waiting periods.
When are you eligible for the permanent subclass 801 visa?
You are normally eligible for consideration of the permanent Partner visa 2 years after the date you originally lodged the combined temporary and permanent Partner visa application.
This does not mean subclass 801 is automatically granted exactly 2 years after application. It means you become eligible for the permanent-stage assessment from that point, subject to the applicable requirements.
How to complete the subclass 801 permanent stage
Once 2 years have passed since the original application, sign in to ImmiAccount, select New application, then Family, then Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801).
Use the Application ID from your original acknowledgement or visa correspondence to connect the permanent-stage information with the existing application.
Home Affairs may also contact you when additional information is required for the permanent assessment.
What evidence is needed for the subclass 801 stage?
You must provide updated evidence that you continue to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same sponsor and that the relationship remains genuine and continuing.
Your sponsor may need to complete a Commonwealth statutory declaration covering your mutual commitment, whether the relationship is genuine and continuing, living arrangements, relationship history, financial commitments, household arrangements, social aspects of the relationship, commitment to each other and future plans.
You should also provide current supporting relationship evidence across the financial, household, social and commitment categories.
Do you pay another visa application charge for subclass 801?
No separate standard Partner visa application charge is payable merely because you reach the subclass 801 stage. The charge for the permanent subclass 801 application was paid when the combined subclass 820 and 801 application was lodged.
What happens if your relationship ends before subclass 801 is granted?
A relationship ending normally affects Partner visa eligibility, but special provisions can apply. You may still be eligible in certain circumstances involving domestic and family violence, the death of the sponsor or other specified situations.
If the relationship changes, notify Home Affairs through ImmiAccount. Do not assume that separation automatically requires you to withdraw the application, particularly where family violence provisions or another statutory exception may apply.
Can family violence victims still qualify for a permanent Partner visa?
Potentially. The Australian family violence provisions can allow an eligible Partner visa applicant or subclass 820 holder to continue toward permanent residence where the relationship with the sponsor has ended because of family violence and the statutory requirements are met.
Home Affairs provides a confidential process for notifying it of family violence circumstances. Applicants should use the specific family violence procedure rather than withdrawing a Partner visa application without first checking their eligibility.
What if the sponsor dies?
You may still be eligible for a Partner visa in specified circumstances if your sponsor dies. Notify Home Affairs about the change in the relationship circumstances and provide the information requested for assessment under the applicable rules.
Should you apply for another visa after subclass 820 is granted?
Be careful before applying for or accepting another substantive visa while waiting for subclass 801. Home Affairs states that to receive the permanent subclass 801 visa you must hold the subclass 820 visa or an eligible subclass 445 Dependent Child visa. If another visa is granted and replaces your subclass 820, you can lose eligibility for subclass 801.
What does subclass 801 give you?
Subclass 801 is a permanent visa. Once granted, it lets you stay in Australia permanently. Permanent residents can work and study in Australia and may access other permanent-resident rights subject to applicable eligibility rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an Australian Partner visa while I am in Australia?
Yes, if you meet the onshore subclass 820 and 801 requirements. You must be in Australia when you lodge the application, and accompanying family members included at that stage must also be in Australia.
Do I apply for subclass 820 and 801 separately?
No. You lodge one combined Partner visa application covering the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801. The temporary visa is normally assessed first and the permanent stage is considered later.
How much does the subclass 820 and 801 Partner visa cost in 2026?
As of 26 August 2026, the standard charge for most main applicants is AUD 11,710. It covers both the subclass 820 and subclass 801 applications. Additional applicant charges apply for family members and other costs can include police certificates and health examinations.
Who can sponsor an onshore Australian Partner visa?
The sponsor is normally the applicant's spouse or de facto partner and must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Home Affairs must approve the sponsor.
Does my sponsor apply before or after I lodge my Partner visa?
The applicant normally lodges first and then gives the Transaction Reference Number or Application ID to the sponsor. The sponsor should complete the online Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia form as soon as possible after lodgement.
Do de facto couples need to live together for 12 months before applying?
De facto applicants normally need to have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. The requirement does not apply in certain circumstances, including some registered relationships and other specified exceptions.
What relationship evidence should I provide for an 820 Partner visa?
Provide evidence covering the financial aspects of your relationship, the nature of your household, social aspects of the relationship and the nature of your commitment to each other. Home Affairs assesses the relationship as a whole.
Will I get a bridging visa after applying for subclass 820?
If you held a valid substantive visa when you lodged the Partner visa application, Home Affairs grants a Bridging visa A. It generally starts when your current substantive visa expires if the Partner visa has not yet been decided.
Can I travel overseas on a Bridging visa A while waiting for my Partner visa?
A Bridging visa A does not provide a right to re-enter Australia and ceases when you leave. If you need to travel and return while it is in effect, you generally need an appropriate Bridging visa B before departure.
Can I apply for subclass 820 if my current visa has condition 8503?
A No Further Stay condition such as condition 8503 can prevent an onshore Partner visa application. If you qualify to request a waiver, the waiver must be approved before lodging the Partner visa application.
Can I include my child in my subclass 820 application?
Yes. An eligible dependent child can be included when you apply or added before Home Affairs decides the temporary subclass 820 visa. The child must be in Australia and additional applicant charges apply.
Can I add a child after subclass 820 is granted?
A dependent child cannot simply be added to the temporary application after subclass 820 is granted. The child generally needs a Dependent Child visa subclass 445 before being added to the permanent subclass 801 process.
How long does an Australian Partner visa subclass 820 take?
There is no guaranteed processing period. Home Affairs publishes current figures through its Visa Processing Time Guide using recently decided applications, and actual processing depends on the completeness and complexity of the case.
When can I apply for the permanent subclass 801 stage?
You are normally eligible for consideration of subclass 801 once 2 years have passed since you first lodged the combined subclass 820 and 801 application.
Do I pay again when applying for the subclass 801 stage?
No separate standard Partner visa application charge is required for the subclass 801 stage because the permanent visa application was paid for as part of the original combined subclass 820 and 801 application.
What documents do I need for subclass 801 after 2 years?
You generally need updated evidence showing that your relationship with the same sponsor remains genuine and continuing, including current financial, household, social and commitment evidence and any additional identity or character documents requested by Home Affairs.
Can I still get a Partner visa if the relationship ends because of family violence?
Potentially. Family violence provisions can allow certain Partner visa applicants and subclass 820 holders to continue toward permanent residence if the statutory requirements are met. Notify Home Affairs and use the family violence process rather than automatically withdrawing the application.
What happens if my sponsor dies before subclass 801 is granted?
You may remain eligible for the Partner visa in specified circumstances. Notify Home Affairs of the sponsor's death so the application can be assessed under the relevant rules.
Official sources
Department of Home Affairs - Partner visas apply in Australia subclasses 820 and 801Department of Home Affairs - Partner visa Temporary subclass 820Department of Home Affairs - Partner visa Permanent subclass 801Department of Home Affairs - Partner visa frequently asked questionsDepartment of Home Affairs - Visa processing timesDepartment of Home Affairs - Travel while your visa is being processedDepartment of Home Affairs - Family Violence ProvisionsRelated procedures
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